Sumner spring features plenty of returning talent

On the girls’ side of the Spartan track and field program, coach Kristin Chapman has welcomed back a fairly young group.

“Our numbers lie mostly with our freshmen and sophomores,” she said, offering a glimpse at returning athletes showing the most promise.

Those on the coach’s early-season list include seniors Madison Blanco in the sprints and relays, Morgan Devine in sprints and jumps, and Trinity Wyse in the pole vault.

Back for a second year are five sophomores that have Chapman’s attention: Ava White in sprints; distance runners Claire LeGallo and Eva Penney; and pole vaulters Taylor Holmes and Brandi Ridge.

The Spartan tracksters warmed up with a weekend jamboree and begin the season in earnest Thursday, March 14, when they head to Tacoma’s famed Lincoln Bowl for a three-team meet with Stadium High and Spanaway Lake.

BOYS SOCCER

The Spartans head into the 2019 campaign with a roster stocked with notable achievements, all combining for state-level success.

Things start at the top with reigning SPSL 4A Coach of the Year Todd Murray. Then, taking the field are the likes of seniors Alec LaBarge and Jared Butler; the former was last year’s league Offensive Most Valuable Player and the latter was the league’s Defensive MVP.

Also dotting the Spartan roster are senior Mitchell Hutter, a first team all-league selection; senior John Guglielmetti, a second team midfielder; and junior Kurtis Van Hout, an honorable mention forward.

The Spartans are coming off an impressive 2018 season that saw the squad post a 14-2 regular-season record before sweeping a pair of postseason contests and qualifying for the Class 4A state tournament. At state, Sumner won its first two, lost in the semifinals, then bounced back to win the season’s final game and place third.

GIRLS TENNIS

There’s plenty of firepower here.

Coach Kathleen Hochstatter has the luxury of putting senior Jade Lancaster on the No. 1 singles court. All she has done is play for a state championship three years in a row. She won the 2016 title when Sumner competed in the Class 3A ranks and took top honors in 2017 after jumping to the larger 4A level; last spring, she again battled to the finals, but took home second-place honors. Also, she claimed Pierce County League Singles Player of the Year honors last season.

When it comes to doubles, the Spartan squad has the defending top duo in the league, the sister act of Tayva and Cabri Jacobsen.

If weather allowed, Hochstatter and her Spartans opened the season Tuesday. A home match against the Wilson Rams is slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.